The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-11-04
THE SOUTH is LOYAL.
A FEDERAL SOLDIER TELLS OF THE
MACON AFFAIR.
An Extraordinary Demonstration of
Love for the Star Spangled Banner
Not Reasonable Incident-Good
Will Shown Union Soldiers Present.

Davis attended, and stood within few
feet OF him during the scenes of the re-
view Of which the northern Republican
press have SO much TO say Mr.. Clifford
located in Nashville at the close of the
war, and has been a member OF one of the
largest wholesale firms in the cty-McAl-
lister, Clifford d Co. At present he
is the general agent for Tennessee and
southern Kentucky OF several large manu-
featuring concerns. No citizen is more
highly respected. Mr.. Clifford is a pro-
nounced Republican and an ex- Union sol
dier. He is n member OF George II.
Thomas post No. |, Grand Army of the
Republic. lie has just returned from
Georgia, and in an interview Yesterday he
said
IL have no desire TO parade my name in
print nor seek TO be ofiicous. trust that
those who know me do not regard me as a
sensation seeker or maker, but feel il nv
duty us an American citizen to protest
against the wrong which is being done the
people of the south. and more particularly
Of Georgia, in the publications which are
being made by leading journals of my party
in regard To the conduct of ext oniedcrates
nj the reunion and the conduct of Mr.
Davis. Every man who knows me knows
that was Union soldier, and have al
ways been firm Republican in politics
IL is true that the alleged incidents which
are made basis OF the assault by the north
ern and eastern press occurred in Georgia,
but the assault has widcned until il Isl sought
to reflect upon the loyalty OF the whole
south. ] was in Macon nearly week,
from Friday 10 Saturday morning of the
next week. ! was there ON business, but
met many old friends among the ex- Con-
federates. ] was never 80 royalty enter
tanned in my life. They knew / was a
Union vctenn, but that made no differ
encc. Some Of the boys who used to wear
the grey asked me why did not wear nv
Grand Army badge, saving they would
like 10 see our badge alongside theirs. A
pressing invitation was extended to me
and other Union soldiers To drop in line
with the ex-Conicderatcs and march side
by side with them. ! have never in NV
life seen city so generally and
handsomely decorated as Macon was.
There were few Confederate flags
fluttering, but these were principally in
front OF saloons, and underneath them
were placards stating the saloon was Con.
fcderate headquarters, the device evil
IDENTITY being u sharp dodge by the saloon
keeper Ia attract custom. | saw few
Confederate flags on private buildings, but
i wish to say that did not see a single
Confederate flag on q house which was not
surrounded by scores of the national fngs
rhc national colors were nying in all di-
rections never saw them 80 handsomely
ind numerously displayed before in my
lie. The occasion was u reunion Of cX-
Nonfederatcs 10 greet their old President
before hc died, and ! was not surprised TO
md these Confederate emblems but say,
as Union soldier jealous Of the cause
fought for, that these cmblcms were there,
could plainly see, merely rs tender
tribute 10 the past, and the magnificent
decorations with the national coloN, the
thousands Of national flags, and the whole
conduct OF the people, eyinccd loyalty to
the Union which no man could possibly
avoid recognizing.
II WIS standing within ten feet Of Mr..
Davis, ON the irunt porch Of Col. JOhnson's
residence, when the meeting between him
and The Confederate veterans, about which
~ much Misrepresentation has been made,
.ccurrcd ! saw the chair brought out and
- olo Kan take lis seat in IL. Ills wife
I'D daughters were about him. Mr.. Davis
Sas very iniirm. One could see at glance
hat lac was much excited and 40 weak
.hat HE family and friends feared the effect
oi the trying ordeal on him. When the
head al the column entered the yard, and,
advancing Ia the ratings OF the porch,
begged tO shake hands with him, his wife
and daughters took hold Of his arms and
begged him 10 keep his seat, reminding
him NJ his feeble condition. They were
evidently alarmed about him, and viewed
his excitement with undisgiiscd tcpida-
ton While they were cmplOring him to
bc calm and remain where lac was. the
flag was pushed forward a. the railing.
Mn Davis leaned forward, and, plucking q
shred from IT, torn and battered folds, fell
back In her chair, aud. putting her hands
"a her face, began 10 weep The scene
was such that no man could have
resisted lin paih"s. The old man
who had presided over Lost cause, t0tlcr-
ing on the verge Of the gave, for the last
time, hc knew, was in the presence ui
those who had once followed him aud
were now bidding him an earthly farewell.
Not an cyc in that vast aS-cmblagc was
dry. Men wepi. yf- but their tcars were
not disloyalty 10 the Union, hut were forced
from them by the sadness Oi the scene.
u
arr not ashamed of their emotion. II was
In this excitement that the flag was pushed
forward 10 Mr.. Davis. Rising with an
effort, lac conyuldyely snatchcd IL folds
and pressed them 10 his LIPS, then fell back
In his chair exhausted. Then arose cries
for GOV. Gordon. lie stepped 10 the front
and delivered speech ~ loyal 20 III,
Union rs any John sherman ever made
When hc referred 10 the perfect union o
the sections today under one iiag, the
cheering WIS louder aud more spontaneous
by lar even than that which greeted the In
cfdent Of the flag No man could hay,
looked upon that assembling aud heard thcii
shouts. and honestly entertain the faintes
idea that those people are disoyal 20 III,
Union. The flag was not torn 10 pieces u,
men eagrr 10 preserve relics Of the emblem
which Jefferson Davis had kissed, a. th'
Republican press charges. II was quietly
borne away, and not n shred was takcI
from Il except by Ms. Davis. | wake,
among the thousands Of cx-Confcderate
at Macon. and talked with hundreds, an,
declare with all sincerity and truthful
ness that | did not see or hear singh
thing which indicated any antagonlsm O
the Union. | remember that, after II wa
all over. was talking with party OF mel
who had fought for the Union, and hap
pcned like TO he In Macon ON business
and some one remarked that lac wonderc
n any attempt would be made 10y the Re
publican press 20 misreprcscnt the %
casion, and We agreed that those VIII
should seek 10 make the people Of 9th,
ACTIONS believe that those eX-Cor
icdcnics had acted ~ enemies TO tli
Union and given vent TO disloyal sent
mcnis would lie guilty Of nothing sho